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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 29 Oct 2009
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Camping in Europe
Hi All

Got a bit of spare time and fancy getting away in the next few days...

Looking at riding down to Spain but was wondering if its too cold to camp now ?

Looking for any advice

Cheers
Geordie
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  #2  
Old 30 Oct 2009
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Depends on your sleeping bag

Shouldn't be a problem. Reported temps range from 20° in the north to 30°C in the south. Even in winter Andalucía is good for shorts.
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  #3  
Old 30 Oct 2009
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If you take the overnight ferry (brittany ferries) to ST Malo, it is good free roads to the Spanish border. It can be done in a day as you dock early morning having had a nights sleep. I have been testing my new sleeping bag (coleman 450) and outdoors it is fine atm but it isn't that cold. weather is expected to get wet over the weekend
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  #4  
Old 30 Oct 2009
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Too Cold.........
Geordie........:confused1:
Too Cold ........
Geordie........ :confused1:
What's up with yer - too cold and a Geordie the two words don't go together.
:confused1:
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  #5  
Old 31 Oct 2009
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Thanks for all the replys guys

As for being too cold, I spent many a years in the bottom of a cold murky trench in my army years ................... never again lol !

Truth is..... Im going thru a relationship break up and just need to get away ! So its more of a needs thing !

Whats the best deal with the ferries ? I usually go from Newcastle on the DFDS but looking at the dover or lower ports this time. Is it better to book a return or get a single and book return journey later ?

My sleeping bag is a Blacks down bag with silk liner... Ive just bought a exped synmat and MSR mo room 3... so should be ok at nightime

Cheers
Geordie
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  #6  
Old 31 Oct 2009
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I usually use an overnight crossing with cabin. More expensive but for me saves several hundred miles and the cost of overnight accommodation, it also puts you on the side you want to be in the morning, giving you a full day of travel time towards your destination. A day sailing means I lose a day of travel time each way. St Malo to the Spanish border is a nice easy (peage free) run, not so from Calais. It wont be much difference to you to get to dover or Portsmouth, but by arriving in Calais you will have wrong footed yourself.
leastwise, thats how I see it. People often end up paying more than me for the same journey because they used 'cheaper' ferry crossings.
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  #7  
Old 1 Nov 2009
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Hi Geordie
I cross the western channel every 4/6 weeks by bike or 4x4 and at the moment Brittany ferries Poole to Cherbourg is the cheapest night crossing with a cabin with a great ride down the west coast of France and easily rideable in a day with no tolls. If you dont mind sleeping bag on a carpeted floor in a seating lounge then LD Lines Portsmouth to Le Havre would be even cheaper.
Temperatures are fine for camping at the moment.
I did the same in 2005 when going through a breakup and it cleared my head and ive ended up living in France.
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  #8  
Old 1 Nov 2009
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Thanks for the replies guys.

Looking at the ferry prices I was shocked at the Santender option.... I recall it was nearly £300!!

going to check out Poole to Cherbourg now...

Yep just feel I need to get away... House sharing is not fun

Cheers
Geordie
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  #9  
Old 1 Nov 2009
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+1 for the Portsmouth-Le Havre overnight trip. If you don't fancy unpacking your sleeping bag you can borrow a blanket from reception for a refundable 10 Euro.

They have 2 boats on the route now, try and make sure you're on the big one as it has much better facilities.
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  #10  
Old 2 Nov 2009
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Thanks for all the info guys

But it looks like all bets are off for now !

Have done my back in replacing an oven for my mum yesterday

On the plus side.. me and the missus are working thru things and are back to speaking.....

So going to use the info when I go to the int rally June 2010

Cheers
Geordie
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  #11  
Old 2 Nov 2009
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It's never too cold to camp, you just have to have the right stuff!
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Old 3 Nov 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cesare View Post
It's never too cold to camp, you just have to have the right stuff!
And the right companion
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